Early testing and treatment could dramatically reduce AIDS-related deaths across Latin America and the Caribbean, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said Friday, urging countries to scale up access to HIV services as World AIDS Day approaches.
PAHO reports that about one-third of people living with HIV in the Americas are diagnosed late, often when their immune systems are already severely compromised. The agency says this delay leaves many at risk of advanced HIV disease and preventable death.
The reminder comes ahead of World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1, and is meant to renew focus on early diagnosis, prompt antiretroviral treatment and comprehensive care—steps PAHO says are essential for preventing advanced disease, reducing stigma and saving lives.
According to the latest figures, an estimated 2.8 million people were living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2024. While the Caribbean recorded a 21% drop in new infections since 2010, Latin America saw a 13% increase over the same period. AIDS-related deaths fell from 42,000 to 27,000 in Latin America and from 12,000 to 4,800 in the Caribbean.
“Our Region has made significant progress—from expanding access to long-acting medicines to adopting simplified treatments that transform lives,” said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. “Even so, the fight is not over. Each year, 38,000 lives are lost in the Americas to AIDS-related causes. Behind every number is a story, a family, a dream cut short.”
PAHO estimates that 14% of people with HIV in Latin America and 15% in the Caribbean do not know their status. Among those who are diagnosed, roughly one-third learn their status at an advanced stage, heightening the risk of opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis.
The organization is calling for countries to expand HIV testing, ensure immediate access to antiretroviral therapy for those who test positive, and widen the availability of preventive options—including pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP) for those at high risk or with a recent exposure.
New long-acting prevention tools—including the injectable PrEP drug lenacapavir, administered every six months—could help broaden prevention efforts. PAHO notes that advances in medicine have made rapid diagnosis possible and that current antiretroviral regimens can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, at which point it cannot be transmitted sexually.
“To accelerate progress, prevent AIDS-related deaths, and improve the quality of life of people living with the virus, we must focus on expanding diagnosis, increasing access to PrEP, and optimizing antiretroviral treatment,” Dr. Barbosa said.
With support from Unitaid, PAHO is also rolling out a regional initiative to reduce deaths from advanced HIV disease by improving data collection, introducing new diagnostic tools for opportunistic infections, and expanding access to treatments for those infections.
This year’s World AIDS Day theme, “Zero AIDS Deaths by 2030,” underscores the push to strengthen the regional response and highlight the human stories behind the statistics.
As part of its observance, PAHO will host a virtual event on December 5 to launch the Regional Alliance for Ending AIDS in the Americas, intended to boost collaboration among governments, health agencies, communities and international partners.
HIV/AIDS is one of more than 30 communicable diseases PAHO aims to eliminate by 2030 through its broader Elimination Initiative.
